Skirt-distending device



(Nbmoaem. K

G. E. MORGAN. SKIRT DISTBNDING DEVICE.

No. 467,183. Patented Jm1.'19,.1a92.`

WITVESSES [NI/ENTOR,

Nirnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. MORGAN, OF AUBURN, NEIV YORK.

SKIRT-DISTENDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 467,183, dated January 19, 1892..

Application tiled June 25, 1891.

' State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Distending Devices for IVater-Proof Oloaks and the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw-` ings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object to produce an efficient device for distending the lower portion of a Water-proof cloak or other protective garment while being worn, and one which shall be so constructed that when any portion of the garment is lifted the remainder of the garment shall be permitted to collapse and fall closely around thewearer.

In Figure l of the drawings I have shown my device arranged ready for use, and in the said figure I have indicated by dotted lines the lower portion of a water-proof cloak to which my distending device is applied. Fig. 2 shows the device with its ends disposed as they are when they are about to be joined or separated. Fig. 3 shows a portion of a garment having my distending device applied thereto, the sides of the garment being separated so as to show a part of my device. Fig. 4 shows my device removed from -the garment and folded ready to be stored away. Fig. 5 is a view of my device intended to indicate clearly the pivotal or hinge connections of its sections.

Gossamer cloaks or other water-proof and protective garments, especially those worn by ladies, perform their functions more perfectly when the skirts thereof are held distended.

The device which constitutesthe subject of my invention is designed for the purpose of effecting this distention, and it consists of a flexible band composed of a number of short sections A A A A A B O, preferably ot' metal, and pivotally secured together at the ends thereof, as by pins b b. The pivoting is effected, for instance, by placing one end of one section upon one end of anadjacent section and securing these ends together by passing a pivot-pin through them. The pivoting is eected in such manner as to permit of movement of the strips only edgewise, as indicated in Fig. 5. This enables the sections to be folded together, as in Fig. 4, into small compass for being stored `away or easily car- Serial No. 397,541. (No model.)

ried. The end sections B O are provided with devices by means of which they may be counected together. The preferred means of connection is indicated in the drawings and consists of slots a, formed inthe section B, ex-A tending lengthwise thereof, and a stud c, applied to the section C and having a T-shaped head. IVith these' securing means employed the hinging together of the sections permits the sections B C to be raised up, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to bring them at right angles to each other, this permitting the elongated head of the stud c to pass through the desired one of the slots a..

The manner of applying and using the distending device will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2. A hem D is formed at the lower edge of the garment, and then into the hem one end of the flexible band is introduced and pushed clear around. Then the said end reappears at the opening in the hem or between the portions of the cloak or other garment, it is secured to the other end by the securing or fastening devices. If while the garment having the distending devices applied thereto is being worn a portion thereof at any point around the skirt thereof is lifted, the pivoting of the sections together permits the garment to collapse or fall closely together and around the clothing of the wearer. This is a very desirable feature, and it results from the capacity of the spreader to fold in consequence of a Vertical raising of any sections at gether at the ends thereof and having its end sections provided with means for connecting or securing them together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. MORGAN. Witnesses:

B. M. WILooX, S. J. WESTFIELD. 

